Fresh Tomato Soup (Mindy Dalton)

8 or 9 ripe tomatoes, skinned and coursely chopped
1/4 cup butter
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
2 tsp salt
2 qt. milk or part half and half
1/8 tsp pepper or to taste

Simmer tomatoes in large saucepan for 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and add 1/4 cup butter, soda, 1 tsp salt and sugar.  Let cool during preparation of next step.  Melt the remaining 1/4 cup butter in large kettle.  Add flour and 2 tspn salt.  Add milk; heat and stir to boiling point.  Combine the two mixtures and heat slowly.  Add salt, if needed, and pepper to taste.  Serve immediately.